big mistake what to do
 

I just spend several hours very carefully making up some ammo. I made the first batch with 4064 then put the can away. This is a one pound can and it's new and full.(I combined what was left of the previous can of 4064 into it so it's right up to the top. Then I took out a container of H4350 and filled my powder dispenser using the funnel. I then realized I had some 4064 left in my tricklerso I took the can of 4064 out and took the funnel off my dispenser. Nothing fell out so I put the funnel into the can of 4064 and as i got ready to pour the remaining powder from my trickler into the can I realized there must have been a blockage in my funnel and it still had small amount ofH4350 in it.As I took the funnelout of the can a small amount of H4350 dropped out into the can of 4064. Question is my new can of 4064 contaminated or is it still usable? I estimate no more than 25 grains(probably less) fell into the can.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

Do you mean H4895? Never heard of H4850. If it was me, I would just shake the can well and move on.

If it is 4895, then its fairly simular to 4064. What I mean is, its not bullseye or unique.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

I meant to type 4350, and I edited it this morning. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
Nevermind, it's fertilizer now.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

I agree with BC - 4350 is a slower burning powder than 4064 and the small amount of 4350 that you inadvertantly mixed with 4064 should be no hazard. I would, as BC suggest, mix the container well so this minimal amount is dispersed thoughout the can.
Reloading is serious business and major accidents can happen if you are not paying attention to every detail. Absolutely no distractions. Consider yourself lucky this time.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

I agree with the other guys.... should be no problem at the amounts you stated if it was mixed well....it is however, a situation that is to be avoided at all costs. Inadvertant powder mixings/switchings are bad news at best. Luckily, a lesson learned with no bad results THIS time......

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Thats what was so frustrating I was paying a great detail of attention to what I was doing. I'm usually pretty good but, oh well. As for safety, even though I agree the little bit I mixed wasn't that much, my lawn just got a $30 fertilizing[:@]. Hopefully lesson learned and thanks for all the replies.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

Seriously?? You thru it out? With IMR4350, its slower burning, so you wasn't in any danger.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

Well, you did the safe thing. But like the others have said it most likely wasn't enough to cause trouble but to loose $30 is better than loosing a gun and your eye if things did go wrong. The powder companies and reloading manuals all caution against mixing powders, even if like you are doing, emptying one can into another of the same type of powder, there are differences between lots of powder so even if it is the same powder from the same company the lots can and are different to some extent. So what I'm saying is it's not a great idea to mix powder, keep it in the original can.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

safe practice ..... not really!! I was taught to NEVER combine powders even if they are the same type. The only exception here is if they are form the same lot number. It's even "recommended" that when you open a new can of powder to rework up the load just to make sure there isn't a dramatic change form one lot to the other.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

Whats not safe about putting a larger slower powder into a faster powder container? With 4350, you can use any max load of 4064 out there for anycartridge and not be over pressure.

I mean its good practice to toss it.But I woudln't go as far to say unsafe. The only situation I could see it being unsafe would be like H110 mixed with HP38 or unique. H110 needs alot of pressure. But for rifle anything loaded over 40KPSI would go boom.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

Getting a little 4350 in a can of 4064 probably wouldn't hurt much- I would mark the can as 'plinking ammo only' and use it for slightly reduced loads just to be safe though. I did something similar a few years ago with 3031 and 4064- I couldn't remember what I had left in the powder measure a few days before but knew it was either 3031 or 4064 and ended up setting it aside and using 3031 load data for making plinking loads.

There's very good reason for not mixing powders even if you end up with a slower powder mixed in- the pressure of the powder and burn rate are connected- not sure how a slower powder might react if it were in a cartridge where the pressure spikes much faster than the slower powder would burning on its own. For this reason alone, I would reduce the loads out of that can of powder below your maximum worked up loads.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

IMO, Big Country is correct. You can still use that can of IMR 4064. Since the H4350 is much slower, the only possible effect would be to drop the MV of your "4064" loads, and probably not even that.

IF the powder that contaminated the 4064 had been a faster one, such as IMR 3031 or faster, then I would trash the contaminated can. But chances are that very little 4350 got into the 4064, so I believe most of your can of 4064 will perform as it should....

Yes, we are cautioned never to mix powders. But I believe this caution wasmeant more for those who might be tempted to mix a littlerBullseye in with 2400 in a handgun load, in a misguided attempt to up the MV a little...

RE: big mistake what to do
 

Hey eld, I have head rumors of folks firing off 500 nitros and such by adding some bullseye. I figured they were crazy. Ever heard that?

RE: big mistake what to do
 

I've heard of people using bullseye to help ignite big loads, not that I'd reccommend it with today's better powder technology.

I've heard of Elmer Keith experimenting with duplex loads a lot. He sacrificed a lot of handguns in his pursuit of knowledge though too.

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It was quite common many years ago... even triplex loads were used. I don't know how many handguns, if any Keith blew up, but i do know that many who DID know what they were talking about, didn't thinkKeith was too bright. P.O. Ackley was one of them.

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I bet alot of nice SAA's are gone over this.

Today, I bet it wouldn't expensive for a guy to rig up a pressure barrel and some pressure inducers before blowing up a handgun or rilfe.

Only if I had more time on my hands.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

Not as regards the 500 Nitro, but I do know that some of the original loads for the.454 Casull used 2400 and Bullseye in Duplex loads, and even Unique, 2400, and Bullsete as a triplex load. However the powders were not mixed, but loaded in "increments", held in place by the next type of powder, and finally, by the bullet-(cases were full, of course... ) here, I'm talking about Dick Casull and hios work with the cartridge now bearing his name. I am not aware of Elmer Keith's work with duplex or triplex loads. He didn't include info on such experiements in his book SIXGUNS, IIRC.

I do know that he abandoned use of the Colt SAA in .45 COLT because the chamber walls were too thin, and started working with the .44 Special instead. I do remember him writing about blowing the loading gfate off of a SAA with a BP load in .45 Colt. But I think he was using baloon-head cases when that happened.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

I am interested in reloading, never done it before , don't know where to start. I want to be able to reload ammo for .410 shotgun, .243 and 8mm mauser. I am specifically interested in reloading 8mm Ballistic tips. Is there a preferred manual for the beginning reloader? What would you estimate the approx. cost of equipment needed to reload these 3 different rounds?I have enough brass and shells to get started. What manufacturer is considered to be the most reliable? What type of powder seems to be preferred for consistency and accuracy for the .243 and 8mm? I appreciate any help that will get me started in the right direction.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

WElcome to the reloading world...you're gonna love it. First off, I don't know of any press that will load shotgun and rifle shells both. Someone on here correct me if I am wrong...I believe you will have to buy two individual and distinctly different types of loaders.
One of the very first things you will need is a good updated loading manual. Most all bullet and powder manufacturers offer them, but they are generally confined to the manufacturer's product for specs. I highly recommend getting the latest issue of the Lyman Reloading Handbook. I have the 48th edition, but I think I just saw where the 49th was issued. No matter, for your purposes, the 48th will serve fine. It is quite comprehensive in it's explaination of the reloading process, and gives detailed explaination of all the facets and reasons why. Really a great source book, and something no reloader should be without, in my opinion. It defines the process, and explains what additional equipment you will need.
At the top of the Reloading Forum, you will find a topic..."New to reloading? Read this first". An excellent breakdown of the essential items compiled by members of this forum, put together by mossy33oak.
As I said before, manuals published by product manufacturers are generic to their own brands for the most part. Hornady manuals will give loading specs for Hornady bullets, Nosler manuals for Nosler bullets, etc. Lyman gives specs for a wider range of applications, but does not cover them all, and you may find yourself needing specific info from brand-specific manuals too. Once you look at a couple of loading manuals, you will understand this better.
As far as brands and prices of loading presses, the door is wide open, and opinions vary greatly here. Personally, I load shotshells with a MEC press, and for the most part, use an RCBS Rockchucker press for rifle/handgun loading. I would advise you to buy equipment somewhere in the mid-range price spread until you see if you really like this stuff and may want to upgrade at a later date. I will say that nearly all of the better-known brand names are generally very well made, and should last for many years.
As far as cost goes, that's apretty wide-open area. Get some catalogs from such places as Midway, Midsouth, or any of the many other companies who specialize in this and get an idea of what you want. Powder, bullets, primers, cases, etc. can usually be bought at a local sporting goods store in your area that handles reloading supplies. The bigger catalog suppliers carry these items too, but you generally will pay shipping and other charges.
There are plenty of people on this forum who will be glad to help you with specific questions you will have. Don't be afraid to ask.
Hope this gave you some general insight into what you were looking for. Once again, I will say...get a GOOD loading manual very first thing......

RE: big mistake what to do
 

Thank you for your help.
I mainly became interested b/c I havea late WWI German Mauser 98 small ring that was sporterized in Germany after the war(set trigger, machined barrel and handcrafted stock). Not worth a whole lot despite being in great shapebut I love to shoot it and I am limited in different types of 8mm rds. I am going to Alaska next year for Grizzly and have considered reloading the 8mm with ballistic tips. I know what this round is capable of using core lokt ammo and after seeing the difference between core lokt .243 and ballistic tip. I am confident this 8mm Ballisticwill do the job on a Grizz. As far as the .243, I want to load an accurate flat shooting round for coyotes without doing alot of overkill. The Winchester Silvertip Ballistics outperformed every other ammunition I have tried but even for a .243 the damage is excessive. I want the same accuracy but withoutblowing the shoulder clear off the coyote. Once again, Thanks alot for the advice, I will pick up the Lyman Reloading Handbook and start reading.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

Although I do agree that that can of powder may have been usable it would have been better to discuss it thru a P.M. rather than on this open board!
Case in point, the new reloader asking questions in the same thread; what have we just taught him? Is it really ok to use a contaminated can of powder?
What if someone new to reloading were to be reading this and accidentially mixed his bullseye and H110 in a significant quantity, and recalled reading this thread. They might not grasp the hugh difference in burning rate and could seriously injure themselves.
Guys I don't mean to sound as if I'm lectureing you, just to remind that we don't know who our audience is.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

Not sure about the .243, but its very hard to do better than IMR 4064 in the 8x57.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

30 bucks? Where do you buy powder? I just bought 7 or 8 pounds it it was 19.99 each/

RE: big mistake what to do
 

I had a buddy do that and he was loading pistol and then went to 223. It was a brand new winchester featherweight gun. When he shot the first round it blew the top of the receiver off. He took it back to the store and they (winchester)gave him a new one. THen he traded the new one for a ruger and blew that up! He then realized what had happened. Talk about closing the barn door after the cows got out!

RE: big mistake what to do
 

I believe everyone that reloads knows or should know that mixing powder (accidentally or intentional) is BAD news. The man did the right thing and will keep the roof on his rifle and the gleam in his eye for it. Underloading (squib load)a rifle is just as dangerous as overloading one.

Leave the mixing to the chemist at the powder company and the shooter at the bench.
You did good... IMO.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

Wow great replies. Like I said it really wasn't alot of powder mixed but I believe I did the right thing. As for $30 bucks, well thats what I get for living in a very unfriendly shooting area (LI NY). Fortunately made a cabelas trip and price was much more reasonable. One day I'll live in a part of the country that didn't vote for Obama by 2 to 1. Until then i'm stuck.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

Try Alabama, we went for McCain-Palan!

RE: big mistake what to do
 

fornra, no offense, but ifa reloader came here to learn how to reload, then he shouldn't be reloading. If he came here to get started, thats another thing.

People ask questions here, and we give our advise. If someone is so stupid enough to not read a reloading manual, and mixes up bullseye, then sooner or later he is going to hurt himself. Anyone that dumb, we can't control.

The guy asked a question and we answered. Its a fairly simple process. I don't mean to sound like I am lecturing you, but this gets rather old on here.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

IMO, it sounds as if you don't understand what he mixed or burn charts. Just my opinion.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

Ya see, thats why you get a bad rep. You always gotta be sayin mean stuff to people. If this guy shows up at your door dont go callin me to come protect ya. [X(]

RE: big mistake what to do
 

Ninja please. If everyone on here knew the truth, they would know that drove a guy in San Diego, Ca to complete insanity with all the mean stuff you said to him. And now, you are running for your life scared to death he is coming to get you. You have even confided in me how you sent your wife to answer the door when someone comes by because you are scared its metro.

Go Metro.

RE: big mistake what to do
 

i'm with Big Country on this one.If it were 2400 or something like that then i would chunk it out: But it ain't and i would load me up some shooting ammo.

BTW:Army artillery propelling charges often contain two or three powders of varying burning rates.